December 02, 2024

Double Tap Special: The Real Story Of Apple’s VoiceOver

56 minutes

Today on the show, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece meet Mike Shebanek, a pivotal figure in the development of Apple VoiceOver. They explore the history of accessibility at Apple, the myths surrounding the creation of VoiceOver, and the importance of community feedback in its development.

Mike shares his journey from product management to leading accessibility initiatives, emphasizing the need for inclusive technology that benefits everyone. The discussion also touches on his transition to Meta and the challenges of ensuring accessibility across a vast user base.

He also discusses his experiences at Meta, focusing on the challenges and innovations in making technology accessible for all. He highlights the importance of measuring accessibility accurately and the role of AI in enhancing user experiences. Transitioning to his current role at Be My Eyes, he emphasizes the development of hands-free wearable technology that aims to empower blind users. The discussion also touches on the future of AI and its potential to improve accessibility, as well as the significance of integrating assistive technology into mainstream products.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us [email protected] or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 Intro

02:31 Mike Shebbeneck's Journey at Apple

05:52 The Origins of VoiceOver: Myths and Realities

10:21 The Vision Behind Accessibility at Apple

15:27 Community Engagement and Feedback in Development

20:09 The Evolution of VoiceOver and Its Features

25:51 Transitioning to Meta: Accessibility Challenges and Insights

28:42 Building Accessibility at Meta

33:23 Innovations in AI for Accessibility

37:05 Transition to Be My Eyes

39:30 Hands-Free Wearable Technology